This is probably the most interesting podcast episode & conversation I've recorded to date. I originally met Kate through Body Positive Fitness Alliance, and I remember being impressed not only by her speaking skills, but also how well researched she was when it came to talking about all things related to diet culture. I was sold on her story once I listened to her TED Talk about the connections between fitspo and the freak show. Yes. The freak show as in the side shows that you'd often find at the circus back in the day.
Kate Browne teaches people and organizations how to tell stories that change the world for good. She is a professor of digital rhetoric and gender studies and the author of the first academic book on The Golden Girls. Kate's writing on storytelling as a wellness habit has appeared in Runner's World, Refinery29, and SELF magazine.
On this episode we talk about:
- Kate's personal story of learning to love fitness as an adult.
- The strange connection between fitspo (aka fitspiration/diet culture-y garbage fitness messaging) and the freak show.
- How the stories we're told about fat people vs. thin people shape the way we see others and ourselves.
- The story that before and after photos tell, and why that story sucks.
- How to start to change that narrative and tell better stories.
CW: mention of weight/numbers.